Astros report: Castro not upset that his season is done

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) stands behind Brandon Barnes (2) as they both stand on third base, as Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) tags out Altuve during the eleventh inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) stands behind Brandon Barnes (2) as they both stand on third base, as Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) tags out Altuve during the eleventh ... more

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles is removed from the game against the Reds.

Sept. 17: Reds 10, Astros 0

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles is removed from the game against the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles reacts after giving up a grand slam to Jay Bruce of the Reds.

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles reacts after giving up a grand slam to Jay Bruce of the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles takes a pause in the action against the Reds to speak with catcher Carlos Corporan.

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles takes a pause in the action against the Reds to speak with catcher Carlos Corporan.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Jay Bruce of the Reds is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam against the Astros.

Jay Bruce of the Reds is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam against the Astros.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Jay Bruce of the Reds is congratulated by a teammate after hitting a grand slam against the Astros.

Jay Bruce of the Reds is congratulated by a teammate after hitting a grand slam against the Astros.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar is unable to make a play on defense against the Reds.

Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar is unable to make a play on defense against the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar is unable to make a play on defense against the Reds.

Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar is unable to make a play on defense against the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros shortstop Jose Villar can't make it to second base in time against the Reds.

Astros shortstop Jose Villar can't make it to second base in time against the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros shortstop Jose Villar can't make it to second base in time against the Reds.

Astros shortstop Jose Villar can't make it to second base in time against the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Roberto Clemente Jr., left, applauds Astros second baseman Jose Altuve after applauds him for being named as a 2013 nominee for Roberto Clemente Award.

Roberto Clemente Jr., left, applauds Astros second baseman Jose Altuve after applauds him for being named as a 2013 nominee for Roberto Clemente Award.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Sept. 16: Reds 6, Astros 1

Astros pitcher Erik Bedard delivers a throw to the Reds.

Sept. 16: Reds 6, Astros 1

Astros pitcher Erik Bedard delivers a throw to the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pitcher Erik Bedard delivers a throw to the Reds.

Astros pitcher Erik Bedard delivers a throw to the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Jay Bruce of the Reds scores a run against the Astros.

Jay Bruce of the Reds scores a run against the Astros.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Jay Bruce of the Reds scores a run against the Astros.

Jay Bruce of the Reds scores a run against the Astros.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Brett Wallace of the Astros reacts after striking out against the Reds.

Brett Wallace of the Astros reacts after striking out against the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pitcher Erik Bedard reacts after giving up a home run to the Reds.

Astros pitcher Erik Bedard reacts after giving up a home run to the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pitcher Erik Bedard reacts after giving up a home run to the Reds.

Astros pitcher Erik Bedard reacts after giving up a home run to the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve ventured out to center field to make an out, causing outfielder Brandon Barnes to hurdle Altuve.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve ventured out to center field to make an out, causing outfielder Brandon Barnes to hurdle Altuve.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Brandon Barnes of the Astros reacts after striking out against the Reds.

Brandon Barnes of the Astros reacts after striking out against the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Trevor Crowe of the Astros is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Reds.

Trevor Crowe of the Astros is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Reds.

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

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Astros report: Castro not upset that his season is done

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The Astros officially shut down All-Star catcher Jason Castro for the season. Castro has had discomfort in his right knee, but nobody seems overly concerned.

Manager Bo Porter joined the media scrum and asked Castro for his reaction to Porter’s declaring he had lost “his best player and his MVP for the 2013 season.”

Without missing a beat, Castro jokingly said he could be persuaded to reverse course if he could acquire one of Porter’s running backs in their fantasy football league.

“It’s not disappointment,” Castro said after he was placed on the 15-day disabled list. “It’s something you can’t really help. We discussed it, and this is going to be the best option moving forward. There’s only 12 games left, and it’s really something that we wanted to get cleared up before the offseason came and just focus on getting ready for next year.

“We didn’t want anything to linger over the offseason and be something that we have to address during that time instead of focusing on just getting back to playing shape for next season.”

Castro, a two-time AL Player of the Week this year, hit .276 with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs in 120 game in 2013. He was pulled from a game on Sept. 2 after having discomfort running the bases. An MRI revealed a cyst on his knee, so the cyst was drained on Sept. 3. He returned to action Sept. 6-7 as a designated hitter but didn’t improve enough to keep playing.

“It’s definitely a blow from a team standpoint,” Porter said, “but I feel like we’re actually doing the best thing for the organization and the best thing for Jason Castro.”

Stassi eyes fresh cup of coffee

Top Astros catching prospect Max Stassi, who is headed to the instructional league on Thursday to continue his rehab from a concussion, is likely to catch a game in the majors before the season is over.

“Stassi is a player we’re excited about,” general manager Jeff Luhnow said. “He had a tremendous year. He was already showing some flashes up here in a very short time.

Unfortunately, it got stopped short. It will be nice to get him back, even if it’s just a few at-bats a few games before the end of the season.”

Stassi, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion Aug. 21, caught lefthander Brett Oberholtzer’s bullpen session Tuesday. He has now caught all of the Astros’ starters in side sessions. He also has been warming up the relievers in the bullpen since Saturday.

“They have a long time in spring training to get to know each other,” Luhnow said. “I think it’s more being here at Minute Maid, experiencing what he experienced. If we can get him in for the Yankees series or maybe a couple Rangers games … most of these players don’t need a whole lot of motivation in trying to get back here.

“But when they come and experience it for a few days, it gives them that much more desire to be back.”